Giving your team access to a free Kanban board is crucial in today’s working environments, where efficient communication and streamlined workflows are a priority.
This awesome tool has single handedly transformed how teams visualize and manage workflows, firmly establishing itself as one of the preferred project management tools among many leading organizations thanks to the simplicity and efficiency it adds to workflows.
Using the right free Kanban software for your team offers a cost-effective way to organize tasks and improve productivity, making it one of the most efficient online collaboration tools. However, with so many options now available, zoning in to the best option can be tricky. In this blog post we will roundup the best free Kanban tools available, their standout features, and how to make sure you pick the right one for your needs.
Table of Contents
Our List of Highest-Performing Free Kanban Board Options
- Teamplate: All-in-one productivity for detail-driven professionals who need to track everything in one place.
- ClickUp: Simplify and scale project workflows for teams that crave efficiency and collaboration.
- Trello: Visual project management made simple for creative teams and task-oriented individuals.
- Kanban Flow: Lean and fast task tracking for multitaskers who value time management and simplicity.
- Miro: Collaborative whiteboarding for teams who innovate through visuals and brainstorming.
- Jira: Powerful issue tracking and agile solutions for software development and tech-focused teams.
- Kanboard: Minimalist Kanban for self-starters and teams seeking a lightweight, open-source solution.
- Pipefy: Streamlined process automation for operations professionals seeking better workflows.
- Kanban Tool: Smart task boards for teams that value insight-driven planning and productivity.
How We Evaluate & Test Free Kanban Software Apps
Why should you trust our advice about the best free Kanban board? Our experts have tested the top options currently present on the market first-hand, so as to be able to make genuine, personal recommendations.
- Each of our reviews is the personal opinion of our team of experts:
- We only include free Kanban software that offers all features we deem essential
- We shortlist according to the most popular brands on user-review sites
- We do not accept payments for any of the reviews
- We follow a transparent review process that is applied to each free Kanban board
- We base our reviews on fact, rather than the subjective opinion of one person
Moreover, each of our reviewers signed up for all the free Kanban board software reviewed, and created projects for each one of them to see how they compare across a span of time. We did this over a three-week period, where we tested functionalities like workspaces, deadlines, communication tools, task dependencies, and more.
What Makes the Best Free Kanban Tool?
We’ve tested each free Kanban software for a range of features that we consider essential for any team, whether looking for excellent startup tools or software that’s appropriate for larger, longer-established teams. These features include:
- Ease of use: The best free Kanban board is the one that’s extremely intuitive and allows your team to hit the ground running, without extensive training necessary.
- Affordability: While these are all free Kanban boards, not all of them include the entire suite of features for free. The more features available for free, the higher our scores.
- Comprehensive functionalities: Ideally, the best free Kanban software will allow you to carry out all your daily project management and communication needs from one, single dashboard. Apps that require multiple integrations of third-party apps will score lower.
- Customization options: Each team has different workflow and management styles, so you need to be able to adapt your chosen free Kanban board as best suits your style. Our highest-scoring apps are those that offer you the flexibility to do so.
Following our comprehensive testing process based on the above four criteria, here is a summary of the highlights we discovered.
The Best Free Kanban Software Compared
Tool | Best For | Standout Feature | Pricing |
Teamplate | Teams seeking an all-in-one collaboration platform. | Fully integrated communication tools, including chat, video calls, and screen recording, within a Kanban-style interface. | Free with all functionalities included. |
ClickUp | Teams requiring a highly customizable and comprehensive project management solution. | Multiple views (list, board, Gantt, calendar) and extensive customization options. | Free plan is limited to 100MB storage; paid plans start at $7 per user/month. |
Trello | Individuals and small teams preferring a simple, visual task management tool. | Intuitive card and board system with Power-Ups for added functionality. | Free plan is limited to 10 boards per workspace and basic automation; paid plans start at $5 per user/month. |
KanbanFlow | Individuals and small teams focusing on personal productivity and time management. | Built-in Pomodoro timer and time-tracking capabilities. | Free version includes very basic task management and time tracking; premium version at $5 per user/month. |
Miro | Teams emphasizing visual collaboration and brainstorming. | Infinite canvas for whiteboarding with real-time collaboration. | Free plan limited to three editable boards, pre-made templates, and core integrations; paid plans start at $8 per user/month. |
Jira | Software development teams practicing agile methodologies. | Advanced issue and bug tracking with Scrum and Kanban boards. | Free plan limited to 10 users & includes Scrum and Kanban boards, backlog, and agile reporting; paid plans start at $7.50 per user/month. |
Kanboard | Users seeking a free, open-source, and self-hosted Kanban solution. | Lightweight and minimalistic design with basic Kanban features. | Free and open-source. |
Pipefy | Operations teams aiming to automate and streamline business processes. | Customizable process templates with automation capabilities. | Free plan limited to basic process management and email templates; paid plans start at $18 per user/month. |
Kanban Tool | Teams needing visual project management with time-tracking features. | Real-time collaboration with time-tracking and performance analytics. | Free plan limited to two boards and two users with basic features; paid plans start at $5 per user/month. |
Top Free Kanban Software Options
Now that you can see what each of the best free Kanban board options offers, it’s time to delve into more detail by taking a look at the pros and cons for each tool, and the key features to look out for. We have also given consideration to what other users say by checking out reviews on the popular user-review site Capterra. All the below user comments and images for each free Kanban board are lifted directly from the site.
Teamplate
CEO Melanie H has this to say about Teamplate: “I appreciate the efficiency of the collaboration tool, particularly in facilitating seamless communication for globally dispersed teams. Additionally, I find the practicality of having file transfer within the same software to be a standout feature, enhancing overall workflow efficiency. It’s very easy to use, powerful and efficient”.
Other users on Capterra all praise this free Kanban board software for offering all its features entirely for free. While they note that there is limited lack of integrations with third-party tools, they also appreciate the fact that these are not needed as all functionalities like email, chat, video conferencing, and more, are all included directly within the dashboard.
Feature | Details |
Overview | A fully free , all-in-one Kanban board with collaboration and time-tracking features. |
Key Features | Real-time collaboration, integrated chat, email, calendar and project templates, document sharing and storage. |
Pros | Offers all features at no cost from one single dashboard, removing the need for multiple integrations. |
Cons | Limited external integrations. |
ClickUp
Capterra user Orla P had this to say: “Allowed me to project manage and keep track of where things were and what is being worked on and completed”. However, she also added that she “didn’t like this tool as it was quite clunky and inefficient way for me to keep track of them”.
Other users describe this free Kanban board as being more versatile than Asana, but considerably more expensive than truly free options like Teamplate.
Feature | Details |
Overview | A comprehensive project management suite offering an intuitive Kanban board view. |
Key Features | Custom statuses, drag-and-drop functionality, time tracking, and integrations. |
Pros | Highly customisable; suitable for teams of all sizes. |
Cons | Some advanced features can overwhelm new users. |
Trello
Capterra user Marco B had this to say through Linkedin: “Trello has great views and is easy to set up and use, especially if you are working on an event or workshop and want the people to cooperate before, during and after the event. The fact that it is very popular means that in these cases your participants will be more likely to have an open Trello account than any other similar software so it really speeds things up.”
However, the ‘free’ aspect of this free Kanban software tool didn’t rate as highly with him, as he stated: “You will go through the limit of boards in the free account very fast.”
Feature | Details |
Overview | A visually appealing tool focused on task organization using boards, lists, and cards. |
Key Features | Drag-and-drop interface, customizable labels, Power-Ups for added features. |
Pros | Intuitive design; quick setup. |
Cons | Most of the essential features require paid add-ons. |
KanbanFlow
General manager David O. describes this free Kanban board as “great for starters”, adding that it is “free and easy to use. We decided to use KanbanFlow instead of tracking projects in Excel and it was a great decision”. On the cons side, he adds: “The program is not feature rich so there are likely more robust tools on the market. However, for people starting with tools like this, simplicity can be a good thing.” Other users like Sam P were disappointed that “the swimlanes are a paid feature, which are a nice to have,,, you also can’t move completed tasks any past date you wish”, indicating that the free features may not be comprehensive enough for serious teams.
Feature | Details |
Overview | A lightweight Kanban tool tailored for personal productivity and small teams. |
Key Features | Built-in time tracking, task management, analytics. |
Pros | Extremely simple to use. |
Cons | Minimal integration options. |
Miro
User Barbara C praises this free Kanban board for having “greatly simplified our ability to efficiently prepare for and address issues with current initiatives. It has reduced the need for back-and-forth emails by providing a more engaging medium for sharing information”.
However, other users like Ben E disagree, stating that they “consider Miro to be more of a hindrance than a help to my work, mostly because of the obstructive, slow, and clicky user interface. And Sascha M notes that “it is tough to stay up to date with all the recent feature additions and capabilities”.
Feature | Details |
Overview | A versatile tool offering Kanban boards alongside visual collaboration features. |
Key Features | Templates, infinite canvas, real-time collaboration. |
Pros | Great for team brainstorming. |
Cons | May feel complex for beginners. |
Jira
While many users appreciate the host of Jira functionalities, most of them also find the interface too difficult to use. Colleen M, for instance, states: “Jira is often evolving and changing its user interface which causes confusion in larger teams and it’s often difficult to establish best practices”. And Oni J agrees, claiming that ““sometimes the interface can feel a bit clunky and overwhelming especially when you have to manage complex projects“.
User Abu R appears to reflect what most of the reviews are saying, summarizing it as: “The initial learning curve can be steep, making it overwhelming for new users. Configuring advanced workflows might also be complex.”
Feature | Details |
Overview | Designed for agile teams, Jira provides excellent Kanban and Scrum support. |
Key Features | Advanced workflows, integrations, developer tools. |
Pros | Ideal for large teams and technical projects. |
Cons | Challenging setup for new users. |
Kanboard
This free Kanban board is highly popular with teams that are familiar with open-source software. CEO Eric M states on Capterra: “It has all the features I need but not the bloat. I like that because it’s self hosted, my data is my own. Because it’s open source and free, I don’t worry about the cost of additional seats when I add new users.”
However, most users also acknowledge that it offers very basic functionalities that can sometimes be a bit too clunky. An anonymous, but verified, reviewer also stated: “It is sometimes difficult to get an overview when there are many tasks. Difficult to see priorities and progress. Reporting is perhaps not that good.”
Feature | Details |
Overview | An open-source Kanban tool designed for simplicity and ease of use. |
Key Features | Drag-and-drop tasks, customizable workflows. |
Pros | Lightweight and straightforward. |
Cons | Requires self-hosting; fewer features compared to competitors. |
Pipefy
This free Kanban board is well-loved because it’s very intuitive and takes no time to get used to. User Laura H writes how “those who use a wide variety of software for their jobs will appreciate how intuitive and easy to learn Pipefy is to use (like me). My processes are readily and effectively automated. It’s easy to use and has been invaluable in helping me run my business.”
On the flipside, consider that it may not serve all your teams’ needs. In Krishna L’s words, “the technology does not appear to be powerful enough to manage intricate tasks. While the layout is nice, it lacks information about their community. Despite reading and experimenting with the product, complex questions remain.”
Feature | Details |
Overview | A process management tool offering a structured Kanban experience. |
Key Features | Custom workflows, automation, templates. |
Pros | Excellent for process automation. |
Cons | Limited integrations in the free plan. |
Kanban Tool
While the free features available for this free Kanban board are quite basic, they are also efficient. User Merline B describes how: “I had the basic features available for free. The application was seamlessly accessible via browser and the mobile app. Must-have features worked with no issue at all.”
However, a verified reviewer disagreed, writing through LinkedIn: “I’m not particularly impressed with this one despite its affordability”, with the due date functionality being particularly criticized.
Feature | Details |
Overview | A visual collaboration tool with Kanban boards and time tracking. |
Key Features | Real-time updates, analytics, customizable workflows. |
Pros | Easy to use; offers insightful analytics. |
Cons | Advanced features locked behind paywalls. |
How to Choose the Right Kanban Software
If you prefer to carry out your own testing using different free Kanban board apps, we’re still here to help. Here’s how to choose the right Kanban software for you by following our tried-and-tested process.
Priority | Elements to Consider |
Lock down your specific needs | Identify what you need most from a free Kanban board: task tracking, collaboration, integrations, or reporting. Define your must-haves and nice-to-haves. |
Check which features are actually free | Review the platform’s free plan. Ensure essential features like unlimited boards or users are available without hidden costs. |
Consider scalability | Evaluate if the free Kanban board can grow with your team. Look for upgrade options and potential limitations that could impact long-term use. |
What is Kanban board software?
Are you here looking for a free Kanban board because you heard it’s the best thing in remote collaboration tools since instant chat, but you’re not quite sure what makes it so great? Worry not – here’s a simplified explanation of what to expect from this type of software.
All free Kanban board apps revolve around three cornerstone features: boards, lists, and cards. You can switch, add, and change between these using a drag-and-drop feature to make things easy.
- Kanban boards: think of these as a virtual workspace that give you a bird’s eye view of your entire project.
- Kanban lists: these are the workflows contained within your Kanban board, and can be as basic as To Do, In Process, and Completed – or as complicated as you require, with additions like For Review, Scheduled, Rejected, and so forth.
- Kanban cards: these are the individual tasks within your Kanban lists that you drag from one list to another along the pipeline until they’re completed.
Why Teamplate is our Highest-Rated Kanban software
We’re not gonna lie, all the free Kanban boards we reviewed above will make an excellent choice. They all offer excellent features that will help you and your team streamline your work process, whether you’re fully remote or not, and whether you’re a small start-up or a larger organization. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t have included them in our list of best free Kanban software.
That said, we believe that Teamplate goes the extra mile for two, hugely-important reasons:
- It is genuinely, 100% free. The vast majority of other Kanban board options reviewed above will at some point require you to pay something. The only two that don’t are Teamplate and Kanboard. However, the latter is limited in functionalities and doesn’t offer a comprehensive, all-in-one solution. It is an excellent option for solo freelancers, but can’t match Teamplate if you’re working as part of a team of whatever size.
- It is extremely intuitive and won’t require any learning curve. While free Kanban boards like Trello also possess this feature, they don’t have all the capabilities of Teamplate. Other apps that have all the capabilities, such as Jira, are more complicated to use.
The verdict is in: we 100% recommend Teamplate as our highest-rated free Kanban board. If you would like your team to start benefitting from this free, all-in-one solution now, get in touch here.